In October 2022, Beryl was referred to Our Special Friends (OSF) by one of our volunteers, who is also Beryl’s neighbour. Beryl lived with her husband, Len, and OSF’s Animal Companionship Practitioner phoned for an initial conversation.
Beryl had had dogs her entire life, but due to disabilities and illnesses, she and Len were now unable to have a dog of their own. They had been having visits from their neighbour and her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but due to their neighbour’s ongoing cancer treatments and compromised immune system, these could not continue. Although they received pictures of the dogs and updates on what they had been doing, it was not the same as physical animal companionship.
Just over a week later, an OSF Lead Volunteer visited the couple. They spoke to Beryl about her needs and how OSF could help. Beryl explained that she and Len were essentially housebound as they could not drive and told our volunteer they felt very “stuck” because of this. Beryl’s disability meant her mobility was poor, and Len was living with various health conditions, including prostate cancer and the early stages of dementia. It was clear that both Beryl and Len would hugely benefit from a volunteer visiting with their dog.
In December 2022, Beryl and Len were matched with our volunteer, Suzy, and her Cocker Spaniel, Molly. The initial match meeting went very well, and Beryl immediately asked when Molly could come again. It was agreed between them that Suzy and Molly would visit every Friday. Visits continued, and reviews took place periodically. On the one-year anniversary of the first visit, Beryl told us, “We love having Suzy, we look forward to her visits every Friday.”
In April 2024, visits were put on hold as Len had been admitted to hospital. Beryl visited him every day until he sadly passed away at the beginning of May. Suzy kept in contact with Beryl throughout this incredibly difficult time, and her visits with Molly resumed at the end of May. Beryl was very pleased to see Suzy and Molly again.
Talking to Beryl a couple of months after her visits resumed, she told us, “I’m not doing well as I miss [Len] so much, I’m really struggling without him … I absolutely adore the visits from Suzy and Molly. Suzy gave me a picture of Molly, which is on my windowsill. [Len] loved Molly; she used to lay on the floor, belly up in front of him, and he would tickle her belly with his feet … I have a picture of [Len], Molly, and I together … it brings me great comfort … although I am struggling with losing [Len], I always look forward to Fridays and my visits.
